Dad gets drunk, passes out during weekend visitation with two kids; threatens to kill mom (Iowa City, Iowa)

CHAD PETERSON: Yet another outstanding dad who shouldn't have visitation.....

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20110725/NEWS01/110725001/Police-Father-passed-out-kids-played-near-cleaning-supplies-scissors?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Police: Father passed out, kids played near cleaning supplies and scissors
9:21 AM, Jul. 25, 2011

Written by Emily Schettler
Iowa City Press-Citizen

An Iowa City man was arrested after his ex-wife says he got drunk and passed out while watching their children over the weekend.

According to Iowa City police, Chad Petersen, 44, of Iowa City, was watching his two children, ages 4 and 6, at his ex-wife’s house while she was away. The woman told police that when she returned home Sunday, she found Petersen passed out on the floor of her living room-kitchen area while her children ran around unsupervised. According to Petersen’s ex-wife, there were hazardous cleaning supplies and three pairs of sharp scissors within their reach, and that one child was wearing only underwear. The other was naked.

The woman said it took several minutes to wake Petersen and that she suggested he take a taxi home. She told police that when she asked Petersen to go home, he refused to leave and became verbally abusive saying, “I’m going to kill you.”

She took her children to a neighbor’s house and called police.

When they arrived, police reportedly found Petersen to have slurred speech, poor balance and bloodshot, watery eyes. Police said he acknowledged he had been drinking but declined to say what.

Petersen was arrested Sunday evening and faces charges of first degree harassment and endangerment, both aggravated misdemeanors.

He had his initial hearing in court Monday morning and could not be immediately reached for comment.